Rita Dove's "Sonata Mulattica" to the Screen
- Heritage Film Project
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
We're thrilled to announce our upcoming documentary project that promises to be one of our most ambitious and compelling films yet. Following the success of our previous collaboration on "Rita Dove: An American Poet," we're reuniting with the legendary poet laureate Rita Dove to bring her critically acclaimed work "Sonata Mulattica" to cinematic life.
A Story Too Extraordinary to Remain Hidden
"Per il Mulatto Brischdauer, gran pazzo e compositore mulattico".----- Ludwig van Beethoven, 1803
At the heart of this documentary lies one of classical music's most fascinating forgotten figures: George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower, a brilliant biracial violinist who captivated 18th-century European audiences and formed an intimate friendship with Ludwig van Beethoven himself. As the New York Times noted when covering Rita Dove's book, this is a story where "Haydn almost certainly encountered him as a child in a Hungarian castle, where the boy's father was a servant and Haydn was the director of music, and Thomas Jefferson saw him performing in Paris in 1789: a nine-year-old biracial violin prodigy with a cascade of dark curls."
This is a story of genius, friendship, betrayal, and historical erasure that will resonate powerfully with contemporary audiences both here and abroad. Picture this: In 1803 Vienna, a young biracial virtuoso meets the tempestuous Beethoven. Their musical chemistry is so extraordinary that Beethoven composes a violin sonata specifically for Bridgetower, and they premiere it together—Bridgetower on violin, Beethoven at the piano. But then, in a moment that would echo through history, a quarrel over a woman destroys their friendship. In his rage, Beethoven scratches out Bridgetower's name from the dedication and replaces it with that of Rodolphe Kreutzer. The "Bridgetower Sonata" becomes the famous "Kreutzer Sonata," and George Bridgetower is erased from musical history.
Thomas Jefferson saw him performing in Paris in 1789: a nine-year-old biracial violin prodigy with a cascade of dark curls.
While he would go on to inspire Beethoven and help shape the development of classical music, he ended up relegated to a footnote in Beethoven's life. When he died in South London in 1860, his death certificate simply noted that he was a "gentleman."
An Extraordinary Creative Team
This remarkable project actually began with the vision and initiative of Dr. Nicole Cherry from the University of Texas, San Antonio. A Juilliard graduate and member of the award-winning Marian Anderson String Quartet, Dr. Cherry not only conceived the original idea for this film but also reached out to both Rita Dove and myself to make it a reality. Her deep understanding of both Bridgetower's musical legacy and the contemporary classical music world makes her the perfect creative catalyst for this project.
Rita Dove had discovered Bridgetower's story years earlier during a quiet evening watching television, when she noticed a Black violinist in the background of a Beethoven film. That moment of curiosity sparked years of meticulous research that resulted in her award-winning poetry collection "Sonata Mulattica"—a work the New York Times covered extensively in 2009, recognizing its importance in both literary and historical terms. Now, through Dr. Cherry's vision, Dove's literary achievement will find new life on screen.
Joining this exceptional creative team is composer David Wallace, who is creating original music that will take center stage in what promises to be a unique documentary-performance of poetry and history. Wallace's compositions will weave together with Dove's poetry and Cherry's musical expertise to create an immersive cinematic experience that honors both Bridgetower's artistry and the contemporary artists who are bringing his story back to life.
A Unique Cinematic Vision
What sets this project apart is its innovative approach as a documentary-performance that seamlessly blends poetry, history, and music. With David Wallace's original compositions taking center stage alongside Rita Dove's powerful poetry and Dr. Cherry's musical expertise, we're creating something that transcends traditional documentary formats. This isn't just a film about history—it's a living, breathing artistic experience that allows audiences to feel the music, hear the poetry, and witness the story unfold in ways that honor both Bridgetower's legacy and the contemporary artists bringing him back to life.
The international potential for this documentary is enormous. The story touches on themes that transcend borders: artistic genius, racial identity, historical injustice, and the power of art to resurrect forgotten voices. From American film festivals to European cultural venues, "Sonata Mulattica" has the elements to engage diverse audiences worldwide.
Institutional Support and Vision
With the backing of the University of Virginia and the University of Texas, we have the institutional support to create something truly extraordinary. This collaboration ensures we'll have access to the research resources, academic expertise, and production values necessary to tell this story with the depth and nuance it deserves.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with a possible premiere as early as fall 2026. We're particularly excited about the prospect of premiering at the Virginia Film Festival, which would provide the perfect platform for launching this important story to wider audiences.
Why This Story Matters Now
In an era when we're reexamining whose stories get told and whose contributions are remembered, Bridgetower's tale couldn't be more relevant. This isn't just a period piece about classical music—it's a contemporary story about recognition, erasure, and the ongoing work of historical justice. As Rita Dove herself observed when speaking to the New York Times: "The story being told is not just the story of his life but about the nature of fame, the nature of memory, public memory."
The implications of Bridgetower's erasure extend far beyond one man's story. Rita Dove captures this beautifully in her poem "The Bridgetower," imagining that instead of the handful of prominent Black classical musicians we see today, "we would find rafts of black kids scratching out scales on their matchbox violins so that some day they might play the impossible: Beethoven's Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, also known as The Bridgetower."
The fact that most people have never heard of George Bridgetower, despite his extraordinary talent and connection to one of history's greatest composers, speaks to larger patterns of whose contributions are celebrated and whose are forgotten. Our documentary aims to change that, one viewer at a time.
Looking Ahead
We'll be sharing more details about the production as we move toward our January start date. This project represents everything we love about documentary filmmaking: uncovering hidden histories, working with remarkable artists and scholars, and creating films that both educate and inspire.
Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, interviews with our creative team, and deeper dives into the fascinating world of 18th-century classical music and the extraordinary life of George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower.
The "Bridgetower Sonata" may have been erased from history once, but through Rita Dove's poetry and our upcoming documentary, it's about to take center stage once again.
Follow our blog for regular updates on production progress, and mark your calendars for what promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Like Rita Dove, I first saw the character depicted as George Bridgewater in “Immortal Beloved” and other films as a secondary character, and I was fascinated and intrigued. I researched and found the man to be fascinating, especially considering the times and being of mixed-race and the hardships he must have faced, yet sheer talent made him famous. When Rita Dove’s book “Sonata Mulattica”came out, I delighted in her words and that long awaited attention was given to Bridgewater. I am so excited about your film. I just know it will be a masterpiece and will bring deserved knowledge of the man who must have been immensely gifted. I am excited to learn more. Thank you, Eduardo!